VIP Lighting: Keeping your workplace safe and compliant
Emergency and Exit lighting is a crucial part of any workplace from small offices to large retail centres. Exit signs are used in combination with emergency lighting to provide means of egress lighting. In the event of a power failure or serious incident these systems provide staff and customers safe passage away from a potentially hazardous environment.
According to Australian Standards AS 2293 Exit and Emergency lights are required to undergo a 90 minute discharge test every 6 months. As well each tenancy must now have an emergency test switch unit installed. A licensed technician must conduct all testing.
Why must exit & emergency lighting be tested every six months?
According to clause 2.2.2 – 2.2.7 of the Australian Standards AS 2293.2, by law exit emergency lighting must be tested every six months to ensure in the case of a power outage or incident such as a fire that exit emergency lighting with function properly. A test of 90 minutes must be conducted and luminaires must test for the full 90 minutes without turning off.
What is the emergency test switch unit?
According to AS/NZ S2293.1 clause 4.2 an emergency test switch facility must be installed on both existing and new emergency lighting installations. A test switch shall be provided to permit the operation of each emergency escape luminaire or exit sign to be checked by simulating a supply circuit failure (a 90 minute emergency test).
What compliance reporting or records are required?
According to AS/NZ S229.2 maintenance records shall be in the form of hard copy record, log book and electronic copy available on request. These reports include all testing dates, failures, name of licensed technician carrying out the test. For successful tests VIP Lighting will produce a certificate with copies kept at your head office, within the tested site as well on file at VIP Lighting.
For more information please visit our Government Regulations & Resource page.
